Governance in Herten: Structural Decisions and Administrative Updates in February 2026

Governance Developments in Herten in February 2026

The city of Herten demonstrated itself as an active hub of local governance in February 2026. Decisions were made in various committees that strengthen both the administrative structure and citizen participation. Particularly noteworthy are the activities of the Senior Advisory Board and the Committee for Safety, Fire Protection, and Public Order (ASFO), which passed decisive administrative updates and regulations during their meetings.

Structural Changes in the Senior Advisory Board

The Senior Advisory Board convened for its 9th session on February 10, 2026, and decided on several structural changes. Particularly important was the appointment of the Secretary for the electoral period 2025–2030. Administrative employee Nelli Stenzel was appointed as Secretary, and Juliana Gabriel as Deputy Secretary. This role is crucial for the documentation and traceability of the committee’s decisions and follows the legal basis of § 58 (2) Sentence 1 in conjunction with § 52 (1) Sentence 2 of the North Rhine-Westphalia Municipal Code (GO NRW).

Another key focus was the succession of a member. After the death of Brigitte Thiel, Bettina Klimek took over as substitute member of the Senior Advisory Board. The city decided not to hold a new election, instead implementing a succession rule according to § 24 (2) of the Election Ordinance. This demonstrates a pragmatic approach to personnel shortages in municipal committees.

Committee for Safety, Fire Protection, and Public Order (ASFO): Regulations and Controls

On February 17, 2026, the ASFO made important decisions directly related to public order and safety. A central issue was the appointment of the Secretary. City administrator Tim Kevenhörster was appointed as Secretary, and Fabienne Janberg as Deputy Secretary. This structure is essential for documenting and ensuring the transparency of the committee’s activities.

Another highlight was the approval of open-air shopping Sundays in Herten-Mitte. The city decided to approve three traditional events as open-air shopping Sundays: the Flower and Garden Market on April 19, the Wine Market on September 6, and the Hertener Wintertreff on December 6. The aim is to strengthen the local retail sector and promote city center revitalization. The ordinance was passed after consultations with economic associations and churches, with no objections raised against the measure.

Event Concept for the Ewald Site: Structure and Control

Another central topic in the ASFO was the event concept for the site of the former Ewald colliery. Building on the positive experience from 2025, a structured concept for 2026 was continued. Events are classified into categories (GREEN, YELLOW, RED), with noise pollution and sound protection measures being decisive factors. The administration emphasizes that a uniform evaluation concept is applied to ensure fair and legally compliant allocation of event spaces.

Additionally, a registration form has been introduced, requiring detailed information on events, safety measures, medical services, and sound protection. This shows a clear trend toward the professionalization of event planning and supervision in Herten.

Outlook and Relevance for the Future

The decisions made in February 2026 demonstrate how Herten is further developing its governance structures while remaining both citizen-oriented and practical. Strengthening bodies like the Senior Advisory Board, as well as clearly regulating and controlling public events and safety issues, are key elements of a modern, transparent municipal administration. In the coming months, it will be interesting to observe how these decisions are implemented in practice and what impact they have on local life in Herten.